Dipper handle fob dredges



July 21, 1936. A, NEVEUNG 2,048,561

DIPPER HANDLE FOR DREDGES July 2l, 1936. A. NEVELING ,2,048,561

DIPPER HANDLE FOR DREDQES Filed Aug. e, 1934 4 sheets-sheet 2 July 21, 1936. A. NEvELlNG I DIPPER HANDLE FOR DREDGES Filed Ag. 6, 1934 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 July 2l, 1936. A NEVEUNG 2,048,561

DIFFER HANDLE FOR DREDGES Filed Aug. 6, 1934 4 Sheets-Sheetl 4 Patented July 21, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT f OFFICE 2,048,561 DIPPER HANDLE Fon'nREDGEs Aloys Neveling, Chicago, Ill. Application August s, 1934,'seria1Nc. 138,596'

9 claims. (c1. 2li- 1in This invention relates to improvements in dipper handles for dredges and its purpose 4is to provide an improved handle which will eiectually withstand the various heavy strains to 5L which this member is subjected in the operation of a dredge. The dipper handle of a dredge is corn--V monly mounted on a boom which projects 011twardly from the dredge and with` respect to which the handle hasV relative longitudinal and pivotal movements, during the actuation thereof by the operating mechanism, for the purpose of effecting the desired movements of the dipper or bucket as this dipper is caused to perform its digging, elevating and dumping functions. VThe dipper han dle is subjected to tremendous strains which vary in character depending upon the position of the handle and these strains have heretofore caused a frequent rupture of dipper handles so that they have to be replaced, often at great expense.

When the dipper handle is directed downwardlir and pressed against the bottom of a river orharbor in which excavations are being made, the

l handle acts as a column and must withstand great compressive stresses. When the dipper handle is,

being swung upwardly in diggingand hoisting, and when it is being swung laterally with a loaded dipper or bucket, it acts as a cantilever beam and is subjected to great bending strains, either vertically or laterally, or in combinations of these directions which produce a twisting action. Great bending strains are also set up in the dipperhandle when the dipper is thrust against the bottom and its pressure made use of in turning the dredge about one of its vertical supporting members, called spuds, which are adapted to support the hull of the dredge upon the bottom when the dredge is in use. Another operation which pro'- duces severe bending or twisting strains in the dipper handle is that which occurs in digging 40 operations when the handle is being swung for moving the dipper along the bottom. In this operation, each bite of the dipper, after the rst one, during the operation of excavating a layer or zone of material, by successive forward and upward movements of the dipper along paths which are laterally displaced from each other, causes a twisting of the dipper and the handle because one side of the dipper overlaps and moves unobstructedly along the path of its next preceding digging movement while the other side engages and bites ol another load of material,

thereby setting up severe torsional strains in the dipper handle. Heavy torsional strains may also be set up when the dipper, during its digging 5.5. movement, encounters a rock or other obstruction whichis displaced from the center of theV dipper. y Y Y In order to withstand these heavy strains, a dippervhandle lmust have some flexibility so that it may bend at various points while at the same time 5 having somerelative movement of its different parts without breaking. One elort to obtain this result,` has resulted inthe construction of dipper handles from steel beamsand plates which are riveted together with blocksl or beams of wood 1o between themV butit has been found in practice that the severe strains which are set up result in the shearing off of the bolts and rivets and, in addition, the structure` has had insufficient strength to withstand the heavy strains to which 15 the dipper handle is subjected. Efforts have also been made to overcome the diftlculties of the prior constructions,.particularly.those caused by bendmg and torsional strains, by constructing the dip-r per handle in parallel longitudinal sections, but `20VV these sections have always heretofore been rigidly connected at both ends of the dipper handle, if not at intervening points, so that no beneficial result has been obtained by forming the intervening parts in separate sections, since no relative 25 movement of these sections could take place under bending strainswithoutcausing breakage of the dipper handle at one or more points where the sections are rigidly connected. These and other diiculties are overcome by the present invention, 30 which may be embodied in a dipper handle operated entirely bycables as herein illustrated, or inV a dipper handle operated in part by a rack bar and pinion, as disclosed in the co-pending application of John F. CushingJ Serial No. 738,588, led Au- 35 gust 6, 1934.

Thel principal objectof the present invention is to provide ,an improved vdipper handle which Will effectually overcome the difculties mentioned above and loe-capable ofwithstanding the 40 various heavy strains to which the handle is subjectedl when in use. `A further object of the invention is to; provide a dipper handle comprising `relatively movable longitudinal sections which are connected in an improved manner 45 so that their relative movement to accommodate bending strains is not-interfered with. A further object of the invention is to provide a dipper handle comprising a plurality of parallel integral sections which are; rigidly connected only 50 at the head of the handle where the bucket or dipper is attached, leaving therrremaining portionsfree to partake of such relative movements as are required topermit lthe, handle to adjust itseltto the bendingy orV torsional strains which V 2y Y Y 2,048,561 Y i sides adjacent its forward end with rectangular are Vsetup therein. Another Yimportant object of theV invention is to provide a dipper handle` ing of the dipper handle. Another object of the invention is to provide a rack batcomprising V relatively movable longitudinal sectionsincomY` .Y birlaton with means for attaching saidisections M to each Votherrwithout interfering with therelf Y 'l Vative longitudinal movement VVof' said sections. StillY another object of the invention lisltoV .pro- 1j j vide a dipper handle comprising relatively movable Vparallel longitudinal sections` spaced Y apart by a narrow slot and rigidly'connectedcnly at:

` the Ahead of thehandle. Other'objectsrelateto Vvarious featuresn of construction and*arrangement` Y which `will appeal-'more fully hereinafter. n Y VThe Vnature of; the :invention will'be understood from the following'specification taken ,Y with the'accompanying drawings-fin which one embodiment is rillus'rtratedif In the drawings, 1

` -Fig. 1 showsla side elevation of theforward fend Yof Ya dredgel equipped` with adipper'rhandle embodying theffeaturesof-the present inven- Vftion; i' Fig. -2 shows a top plan view ofthe dipper handle illustrated in Fig. 1; Y

' Fig. Y3 showsa,sideplanview of thedlpper Y 'handle illru'stratedinl Fig. 2;@-1-

Y Fig. 4 shows an'enlarged'longitudinal section through one .of the parallel complementary `sec``Y tions of therrdipper'handle illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3, the section being taken on theline 4-4 0fFig.5; i

. Fig. 5 shows'an enlarged transverse! section f through the dipper handle,`the.-section beingVV taken'on the line 5-501 Fig."3; l n Y Y YFig'. 6 shows an enlarged'top plan view of the head end portion .of the dipper handle illustrated in Figs. 2V and 3, a portion thereof Vbeing'shown in'horizontal section: taken on the line 6-6 of Fig. '1 Vshows `an enlarged vertical section VY.through thev dipperhandle taken'A on the"v -line' 1,-1 of Fig. 8; Y

Fig. 8shows a side vevatiorl of the head of the 5"1 dipper handle illustrated :in Fig.-6;l l

VFig. 9 shows an enlargedV side elevation offa Y portion o f the"dipper-handle,rwith parts'thereof 'Y broken away, illustrating the connectionsof the H cable mechanism by whichrthe` dipperV handle is 6'0 V Vmovedlongitudinally with respect to the supportingbooln;V Y; I Y f Y FigglO shows a bottom plan viewofthe dipper handle and mechanism illustrated'in Fig. 9 and Fig. 11 jshows Van 'enlarged bottom' plan rView 65r` ofthe equalizer which isfeinbodied in the'con` structionof Figs. 9 and 10-and which is adapted to equalize the tension in the operatingVV cables, when Ythere is a lateralflexure of the dipper handle. i v' 7'@ Theginveniion is illustrated in` the drawings as being embodied in 'a dredge comprising a hull 20 adapted to float upon A*the Awater 2| beneath whichY is the bottoni `22 ofthe river-.or harbor inr-whichgexcavations are to beperf'ormed by the 75 dredge. l The .hull 20 is:`v provided on opposite vertical recesses 23 in which are mounted the* spuds 24. These spuds are in the formvof vertically extending columns capable of vertical Vmovement with respect to the hull 20 and 'adapt-V 51 ed to be pressed against the bottom 22V during the operation of dredging vso that the hull is supported by these members independently of itsk buoyancy upon the water. The spuds are guided .inf their channelsv or recesses by suitable rollers 10 Y and are detachably retained inplace bythe bars 26. Each spud has a pulley 21 adjacent its upper end about which passes a cable28 and each` spud is further. provided with a pulley 29 located Vin a slot adjacent its lower end, above ywhich 15 passes., another cable 30. YEach cable has one endsecured Yto a xed point on the dredge and the other ends of these cables are operated by :Winches located on the hu1l20 so that the spuds maybe raised or lowered.l and pressed against Vthe 20 bottom 22.V v`

:At its VVforward end, the hull 20 carries Va dipper supporting frame or boom 3'2--which'projectsout-- Vwardly and upwardlyand is arranged to'turnV the purpose of turning-the boom ina lateraldi-` 30 b rectionV about its vertical axis for vthe purpose of locating the dipper handle and dipper in .theLdesired position. The outer end of the boom carries a xed block 31ftowhich` are attached supporting cables 38 inclined upwardly-and` extend- 351A ing around V`tackle brlocksv39l carried by a-.sup` porting strut 40 which is pivoted at14l' on the vhull 20.V The strut 40 -is Asupported against forward. movement' byother cables` `42 which are arranged to extend downwardly and rearwardly to a suit- 5' able support'onzthe rear portion of the dredge. The body portion of the .boom tapers outwardly andj'upv'vardly from its lower.' ,end and .isprefera ably built up fromrav series of steelplatesrand angle iron members, includinga-pair of .longi- 45" tudinal Ivertcally extending sidel -platesf43 'and `topand bottom plates 44 and.45,V respectively;

i The intermediate portion ofthe boom 32 is pro.- vided with a longitudinal vertically `extending slot in which isV mountedY a dipper handle` 50 con- 5() structed according to the principles of the present invention and-comprising, in this embodiments;V

' pairof substantially similar longitudinal sections 5I which are united with each other at the outer or lower end of the dipper handle to vform an enlargedV head 52, as shown particularly in Figs.

Y2 and 3. This Yclipper handleis adapted to recipslot of the boom by means oiy mechanismtwhichl 6'5- is illustrated particularly in Figs. 1, 9, 10 andll. This mechanism comprises a drum 59 securedon `the shaft 51 vand having passed thereover cables 60, including'two cablesitl)a forithrusting Vthe Y' dipper handle outwardly and two cables 6l]h for 70 moving the handle inwardly. The cables of each Ypair are adapted to act separately upon the comelevating a loaded bucket at the lower .or outer end thereof. The cables 6|)a are .attached to clamps 6| having pivotal connections at 62 with the rods or bolts 63 by which the cables are con.- nected with the inner or upper end of the dipper handle. Each dipper handle section is provided at its upper end with an integral plate or bracket |54 having formed therein an aperture 64a through which one of the cable bolts 63 extends. These bolts are then passed through a separate end plate 65 which is apertured for engagement by the bolts with considerable clearance around the bolts so that some relative movement of the bolts and their connected parts laterally is permitted. The bolts 63 then pass through apertures (i6a formed in an equalizer bar 66 which bears at its middle point 66h upon the end plate 65 and which has surfaces 66c diverging therefrom so that the part 66b is capable of rocking on the end plate to permit the bolts 63 to have relative longitudinal movement through the end plate and the bracket 64 which may be desirable to-equalize the tension in the cables lilla when the dipper handle 5|! is bent laterally with a resulting relative longitudinal movement of the end portions of the dipper handle sections 5|. The ends of the cable bolts 63 are engaged by washers 61 and nuts 68 which permit any necessary adjustment to be made. The cables 6I)EL extend around the drum 59 and then downwardly and rearwardly along the boom where they are passed around and secured to the drum of a driving motor or engine 10 which is mounted on the boom and which provides Y the motive power for effecting movement of the dipper handle with respect to the boom.

The other cables Bub for retracting the dipper handle are the ends of a single cable having its end portions secured to and passed around the drum of the engine or motor 10 in a direction which is the reverse of the arrangement of the cables 60a. After passing over the drum 59, the cables Sub extend forwardly and their comm'on connecting portion is passed through a pulley 1| which has a bolt or stem '||a adjustably secured in a bracket 13 carried by and extending downwardly from the dipper handle, as shown in Figs. 9 and 10. Portions of the cable adjacent the pulley 1| are secured together by a clamp 14 so that the ends of the cable portions |50br adjacent the pulley 10 are relatively Vfixed, the pulley being merely employed as a convenient means for attaching the cable to a fixed point on the dipper handle. By means of the construction just described, it will be apparent that upon rotation of the drum of the driving motor 19, the drum 59 is rotated with the result that the cable sections passing over this drum' are wound up in one direction and unwound upon the other, causing the dipper handle 50 to move longitudinally through the housing 55 of the carriage in either an upward or a downward direction, depending upon the direction of rotation ofthe drum. In the event that the complementary sections 5| of the dipper handle are distorted due to the lateral bending of the dipper handle with the result that the upper or inner ends of the Sections 5| do not lie in the same plane, the tendency for unequal stresses set up in the cables 68a and Elib will result in the rocking of the equalizer bar 66 upon the end plate 65 until there is a complete compensation for the unequal tension by the adjustment of the eiective length of the two cable portions 69a.

At the lower end of the dipper handle, there is mounted the bucket or dipper which-is connected to the head 52 of the Vdipper handle by a bolt 'I6 and also by links 11 which are attached to the dipper by a bolt 18 and to the dipper handle by a bolt 19. The dipper 15 has` forwardly projecting teeth l5a forminga cutting edgewhich is adapted to engage the rock or earth forming the bottom 22 when the 'dipper is being moved along the bottom for excavating purposes. For the purpose of moving the dipper and the outer or lower portion ofthe handle in an outward direction with respect to the hull 29 or inan upward direction with respect to the bottom v22, the dipper is provided with a pivotally connected yoke 80 attached to a hoisting cable 8|. This cable extends upwardly and around a pulley 82 which is rotatably/mounted in the outer, upper end of the boom 32. The cable 8|- then extends downwardly and rearwardly above the boom and is passed around another pulley 83 which is rotatably mounted on the lower part of the boom. After passing over the pulley 83, the cable 8| extends downwardlyY and partially. around another pulley 84 which is rotatably mounted within the hull 20. From the pulley V81|, the cable 8| extends rearwardly and around the drum of a winch 85 which maybe operated for the purpose of winding up the cable 8| to elevate the bucket 15 or to release the cable and permitthe bucket to lower.

The movement of the lower end of the dipper handle and the bucket inwardly toward the 'hull is effected by means of a cable 81 which is attached to a yoke 88 having its arms pivotally mounted on abolt 89 secured in the brackets 90 whlch are formed integrally with the sections 5|V of the dipper handle, as shown kin Figs. 9 and l0. This cable 8l extends rearwardly through a four-way sheave 9| mounted on the end wall of the hull 2B, after which the cable is carried,

over a pulley 92 and thence around the drum of a winch 93 which may be operated for the purpose of pulling the lower end of the dipper handle downwardly and inwardly toward the hull, for the purpose of releasing this cable when thebucket and the lower end of the dipper handle are being pulled outwardly or upwardly by the mechanism heretofore described.

As shown particularly in Figs. 6 and 7, the complementary dipper handle sections are formed assubstantially similar hollow members each of which is formed as one integral metal piece of cast steel or the like. Each section comprises an outer side wall 5H, a parallel inner wall 5|b, a top wall 5| and a lower wall Sid. 'Ihese walls are integrally united in the process of casting and are also united integrally with transverse webs or `diaphragms 5|e which are spaced apart at intervals along the dipper handle sections and which are provided with elon gated c ore holes 5|f. The top wall 5|c is initially provided with similar elongated core holes 5|g for the purpose `of permitting the mafv terial of the core to be removed after the dipper, handle sections have been cast but, inasmuch as these core holes tend to weaken the upper wall of the dipper handle, they are preferably closed, after the casting operation, by cover plates 95 which are welded in placeso that they are adapted to transmit compressive forces which may be set up in the dipper handle when it is in use.

The upper and lower ends of the dipper handle f sections are closed` by end walls 5|h so that each section 5| has an inner` chamber 96 extending throughout thev length thereof.

At the outer or lower end of the dipper handle, thersections 5| are somewhat enlarged, Vas

4 shownin Figs Yandr'8,andfthese portions are Vsecured together to form the head 52,to which the-bucket is attached. As-shownin Fig.j6,

the complementary dipperhandle sections ,are` spacedvapart throughout the length of the head 52 by means of a ller 'plater9'|,` leaving a comparatively narrowV slot 98 extending throughout the remainder of the length of theV dipper handle, The portions of the dipper handle sections which engage opposite sides ofthe filler plate 91 aresecured together by bolts 99' and nuts |00, thus uniting the dipper handle `sections rigidly at'their outeror lower ends while leav- Ving them free for relative-movement throughout the remaining portions of their length.V In order that stresses vmay be transmitted longitudinally through thehead of the vdipper handle independently of the bolts 99, the innervvalls'5lb `of therdipperhandle are enlarged vwithin the head and are provided with Aregistering key-ways engaged by a vertical key |0| and a horizontal key |0|a whichare welded in place.Y The sidewalls `5|a of the dipper handle sections arer provided;

at their extreme lowerY or outer ends with integrally formed `brackets|02 having apertures |02a Vtherein which are adapted to Vbe engaged by the'previoursly described boltV 'H5 by which theV bucket 15 is attached to the dipper handle. YThe j lower ends of the dipper handle sections are also provided with inwardly directed socket members |03 having apertures |03ar therein which areengaged by the previously described bolts I9 bylwhich'theV links 'l1 are attached to the dipper handle. l y f Y In order to permit those portions ofthe dipper handle sections 5|VV whichfar'e located inwardly n from or above the'headr52` to have relative move- ,ment',` to compensate for Vther distortion of the dipper handle, -while at the same .time main-V 1 taining some connection between these separately f the dipper handle, are arrangedopposite each other.4 in pairs, that is, a'hole in one innerA wall 5|h is arranged to register with an elongated Y. andvslots Vare-staggered intheir arrangementin two rows extending longitudinally ofthe 'dipper handle adjacent `its upper'and lowerY edges.V The holes and slots are also arranged so that the alternate holes |06 engaged bythe-bolts are located in the'innerfrwall of one dipper handle `Vsection 5| while the intermediate holes |06 are located in the inner wall ofthe upper'dipper handle section,

with a corresponding-alternating arrangement of the elongated slots |01.

Inorder to permit .these bolts `to be inserted and the lnuts IllY 'to be Vapplied therettheouter vertical walls 5|a of the dipper handle sections are provided with threaded apertures which, after-the bolts Y and'nuts Y Vhave been inserted and adjusted, are Yadapted to be closed by threaded Vplugs |2, thus Vclosing the inner chambers 96 of Y the dipper handle sections. The nuts ||0 are so adjusted on the bolts V|05 that, while "they prevent any substantial e not m1 in the Vopposite-wall.5vV andthesehoies i separation of Ythe dipper' handle sections, g. they permit relative` longitudinal movement of .these sections tothe extent allowed by theilongitudinal slots |01 which maybe made ampleV in size to` compensate for any degree'of lateralbending ofV 5 the dipper handle which is encountered in use.V In this` way, by' forming the sections 5| of the dipper handle. as separate complementary members and attaching them rigidlyto each other only at the loweri or outer end of V'the-dipper Y handleL which forms rthe head, the remainingv portions of thedipper handle-are permitted to partake of such relativemovement as may be necessarylto` permit the lateraljbending 'of the 'l dipper handle without`breaking. V Although this 15 improvement hasV beenillustrated in `connection Y with cable mechanism `for movingfthe dipper handle longitudinally with respect to the boom, it .will be understood that the' improvements herein described Vmay be employed with various Vforms of operating mechanismsuch asY that disclosed in the co-pendngf application of John-F; Cushing heretofore referred to. iv

Although one embodiment of theginvention has Vbeen shown and described by Way o f illustration, V

Vit will be understood that it may be constructed in various other embodiments coming within the scope ofthe appended claims. 'Y VIclaimZ.,

1. The combination in a dipper handle,A of Va pluralityV of separate Ylongitudinal sections, 'said Y sections'being providedwith registering Ybolt holes and slots, and a series of bolts each engaging a hole in one of said sections and a slot in the other of said sections vfor connecting said sections and `permittingrrelativre movement thereof'. A

2. 'I'he combination in a dipper handle, of a plurality of separate longitudinal sections, means forl connecting said sections` rigidly together at one end 'ofc said handle,V said sections having registering holes and elongated slots in other porv tions of said'sections, and a series of fastening members engaging said holes and slots for connecting said sections andmpermitting relative movement thereof. Y Y Y l v 3. The combination in a dipper handle, of a pair of `hollow longitudinal; Vsections Vhaving-inner walls lying in proximity to each other, said innerv walls having` registering holes and elongated slots extending longitudinally of the dipper handle, and a series of bolts each fitting one of ysaid holes and engaging one of said slots for connecting said` sections and permitting relative movement thereof longitudinally of the dipper handle. qi e "4. 'Ihe combination in adipper handle, "of a pair ofV hollow longitudinalsections having innerV Walls lying in-proximity to each other, said inner Vwalls having registering holes and elongated slots extending longitudinally of the dipper handle, a series of bolts each tting one` ofsaid v Yholes and engaging one of said slots for` connect- Ving said sections and permitting relative movement thereof longitudinally of the dipper handle, said sections having outer'walls provided with holesV in registry with said bolts,Y and removable plugs normally closing said lastl named holes.f

5..'1he combination ina dipper handle, of a pair of hollow complementary sections extend- Y ing parallel toAV each other longitudinally ofthe dipper handle, each of said sections having in- :tegral transverse webslocated therein VKat intervals, said sections beingl further provided with inner walls having registering bolt holes -and elongated slots, yand a series of bolts each engaging-one of said holes in onev of said slots, said' 75 holes and said slots being arranged alternately in opposite sections.

6. The combination in a dipper handle, of a pair of complementary sections extending parallel to each other longitudinally of the handle, means for rigidly securing said sections together at one end of the handle While leaving the remaining portions of said sections free for relative longitudinal movement, said sections adjacent said securing means being provided with registering key-Ways, and a key engaging said key-Ways for transmitting stresses from one of said sections to the other.

'7. The combination in a dredge, of a dipper handle Vcomprising a pair of separate longitudinal sections secured together at one end of the handle and having the remaining portions thereof free for relative longitudinal movement, means for supporting said dipper handle, and operating mechanism connected to said dipper handle for effecting movement thereof with respect to said supporting means, said mechanism comprising parts separately connected to said dipper handle sections and including an equalizing connection for causing equal stresses to be exerted upon said dipper handle sections by said mechanism when said handle is bent laterally.

8. The combination in a dredge, of a dipper handle comprising relatively movable longitudinal sections, means for supporting said dipper handle, and operating mechanism for moving said dipper handle with respect to said supporting means, said operating mechanism including separate cables and an equalizer to which said cables are separately connected for causing substantially equal stresses to be exerted upon said dipper handle sections by said cable portions when relative longitudinal movement of said dipper handle sections occurs. y

9. The combination in a dredge, of a boom, a

dipper handle mounted for relative movement Y with respect to said bo-om,V a dipper carried by said dipper handle, saidV dipper handle comprising complementary longitudinal sections which are rigidly connected adjacent said dipper and which have the remaining portions thereof free for relative longitudinal movement, and operating mechanism comprising a drum having cables Wound thereon and connected to said dipper handle for effecting longitudinal movement thereof with respect to said boom, said cables having separate portions connected to the separate complementary sections of said dipper handle and an equalizer bar extending between said cable portions for causing the tension in said portions to be equalized upon relative movement of said dipper handle sections. Y

ALOYS NEVELING. 

